Page 65 of Men or Paws

“They’re upgrading the system,” Rocco said. “I’m sure you know from your brother that being in the public spotlight can attract more than a few overly-enthusiastic fans.”

“That’s putting it nicely. You mean weirdos.”

Rocco laughed. “Yeah, I guess so.”

“Like the woman swimming naked in your pool.”

“Like her, yes. Anyway, I should get going.” He wagged a finger at me. “No wild parties, young lady.”

“Young lady?” I crossed my arms. “I’m older than you.”

Rocco arched an eyebrow. “How would you know that? Did you Google me?”

“I . . . uh . . . just assumed,” I lied, preferring not to mention that I’d read his entire Wikipedia page. Twice. “Anyway, have a good trip.”

“Thanks, but I prefer to be here with you.” Rocco’s muscles tensed in his upper body. “I don’t mean . . . withyou. I mean that I prefer to be on the property with you and my dog. It was actually a plural you, like you all or y’all, depending on where you’re from.” He blew out a breath, looking a little nervous for some reason. “Anyway, I’ll check in with you later this evening to see how Houdini is behaving.”

I nodded. “Sounds good. Hey, if you want to do a Zoom call, I can put him in front of the camera so you can say hello.”

“Great idea. I have a dinner meeting at seven, so let’s do it around nine o’clock, New York time. I’ll text you with a Zoom link when I’m ready to connect.”

“You got it,” I said.

“Okay—I need to get packing. I’ll talk with you later.” He turned toward the door, but then stopped and flipped back around. “Oh, and thanks for everything.”

“My pleasure,” I said, jerking my eyes back up to meet his gaze since I had been checking out his butt.

“Behave,” Rocco said, then laughed and walked out the door.

“Real smooth,” I said, smothering myself with one of the pillows.

ChapterThirteen

Beth

Luckily, Houdini was a good boy and let me go back to sleep for another hour before the slurping sound of him cleaning his privates woke me up.

It would be odd not having Rocco around, and a little disappointing, I had to admit, but I had plenty of things to do for the new business, including working on the website.

Later in the afternoon, I got a call from Josh, who had been mysteriously quiet the last couple of days, which scared me since he’d been staying at my apartment. Holly was supposed to join him, but I hadn’t heard from her either. Hopefully, Josh would pop the question soon because I was getting tired of waiting to be her sister-in-law.

“How are things going over there?” Josh asked. “Do you have a wedding date yet?”

“I should be asking you the same thing,” I said as I packed up some toiletries to take with me to the main house.

“Don’t you dare bring that up,” Josh whispered. “I’m still trying to figure out the perfect proposal and I want it to be a total surprise.”

I could barely hear him, so Holly must have been nearby.

“Believe me, it will be a surprise no matter what you do since you have been dragging your feet for four years. Make a move, would ya?”

“Change the subject, please,” Josh whispered again. “She’s here.” He cleared his throat and spoke louder. “What’s the latest? Have you bowled with Rocco yet?”

“No, but I would love to, maybe when he gets back. He’s on his way to New York right now to reshoot some scenes in a movie.”

“Speaking of that, have you seen his spandex collection?” Josh asked, laughing.

I laughed along with him. “No, but I’ll be staying in the main house tonight, so who knows what I’ll see?”